By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

Anna Urquhart threw a birthday party for herself and instead of presents, collected donations for the new Windsor Town Center.

In all, her party netted $2,000.

Urquhart was one of many members of the community who came together to donate money, time and effort to make the new Town Center a reality.

The community’s efforts were celebrated Saturday during a ribbon cutting for the facility, fashioned from the former Windsor Middle School gymnasium. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

“It was from the little donations and what people could give that we knew it was needed in the community,” said Mayor Rita Richardson.

Other major supporters noted by Richardson included the Obici Healthcare Foundation, the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors, the Windsor Woman’s Club, Farmers Bank, Mike Luter with Arrowhead Environmental Services, Dr. Harold Demsko, Commonwealth Gin and the citizen advisory group established to set up policies and guidelines for the new facility. 

The gym was provided to the town after the old middle school was torn down and the new Georgie D. Tyler Middle School was built. 

Richardson said the town regretted losing the gym from the old Windsor High School, so when this opportunity arose, the Town Council moved on it. 

Richardson said the county didn’t resist, as it would have cost around $200,000 to tear down the old middle school gym. 

Now fully renovated, the 14,000 square foot Town Center boosts a large gymnasium, a catering kitchen, meeting rooms, a reception area and office, art room, four handicap accessible bathrooms, including a family restroom, a display area, lounge and Wifi. 

Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation has offered to staff the center and provide programs. 

The Windsor Woman’s Club held its annual crafts fair in the gymnasium Saturday in conjunction with the grand opening. The Club also used the new kitchen to sell chicken salad and pimento cheese.  {/mprestriction}